In 2020, the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) began gathering public feedback on the proposed provincial Protected Areas Plan for the Island of Newfoundland. The Plan aims to increase the amount of land protected in the province for unique habitats and species, to mitigate against the impacts of climate change, and to protect spaces for cultural and traditional activities.

The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, today released the Recommendations Report from WERAC on the proposed Protected Areas Plan for the Island of Newfoundland. The full report and a summary can be found here. Also available is a Questions and Answer and a Common Misconceptions document about protected areas.

WERAC is a legislated, volunteer, independent advisory body appointed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide advice on the establishment and management of the province’s wilderness and ecological reserves.

WERAC gathers and considers public input and information about proposed reserves, and provides recommendations to government on whether a reserve should be established and, if so, how it should be managed.

Government will undertake a review of the report and pending that review, WERAC would enter into consultations involving engagement with local communities. Every reserve that may be established is legally required to go through a public consultation process which would inform any final recommendations to government on a proposed reserve.

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“I thank the members of WERAC for their recommendations regarding the Protected Areas Plan for the island. Their advice and the work of all members in conducting public consultations and preparing the report is appreciated. We will conduct a robust review and determine how to move forward.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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Learn more

Results of Public Consultations on Protected Areas Plan Released

Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449; 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca